Roles and Responsibilities

The positions of Chair and Secretary to a committee are of fundamental importance in ensuring that the committee functions effectively, and conducts itself in accordance with its terms of reference and authority.

Committee members perform the vital role of enabling committees to discharge their responsibilities.

Comprehensive guidance for the roles of Chair, Secretary and Members has been developed, and is available to download.

Committee Standards: The Nolan Principles

The ‘Nolan Principles’ Like other public bodies, we have a duty to conduct our affairs in a responsible and transparent way, and to take into account the requirements of our funding bodies and the Committee of University Chairs’ Governance Code of Practice. Through our governance arrangements, we meet these responsibilities and comply with the reports of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Therefore, all committee members, including the Chair, should follow the 'Nolan Principles', which are the basis of the ethical standards expected of members of the University, including all staff and those involved in governance roles.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.